Recaps

Chiba joined Konoha, formed Team 7 with Naruto and Sasuke, and helped them survive the mission to escort Tazuna. The team reached the Land of Waves, where Kakashi fought Zabuza and an unknown assailant struck Zabuza with senbon.

• Chiba arrived in Konoha, joined Iruka’s class, and gained basic mastery of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu through the check-in system.
• Chiba and Naruto painted graffiti on Hokage Rock, and Hiruzen allowed Chiba to stay in Konoha after Jiraiya vouched for him.
• Chiba helped Naruto defeat Mizuki, and Iruka later announced that Chiba, Naruto, and Sasuke had been assigned to Team 7.
• Chiba passed Kakashi’s bell test by choosing his teammates over the mission, and Kakashi passed all three for valuing their comrades.
• Team 7 accepted Tazuna’s escort mission, and Chiba won a sparring match against Tenten before setting out.
• Chiba defeated the Kirigakure attackers during an ambush, then helped Naruto face the reality of killing as the team continued to the Land of Waves.
• Chiba sensed Zabuza in the mist and helped Kakashi break free after Zabuza trapped him in a Water Prison, while Kakashi wounded Zabuza with his Great Waterfall Technique.
• Chiba appeared behind the wounded Zabuza with a kunai at his throat, but senbon struck Zabuza’s neck before Chiba acted.

Chiba helped Team 7 defeat Zabuza and Haku in the Land of Waves, then returned to Konoha and prepared for the Chunin Ninja Exams. The stretch ended as Rock Lee challenged Naruto at the Academy.

• Haku took Zabuza’s body after Kakashi confirmed his death, and Chiba led Team 7 to Tazuna’s home, where Kakashi began training Naruto and Sasuke in chakra control.
• Kakashi identified Chiba’s wind and fire chakra natures and taught him new techniques, which Chiba mastered with startling speed before helping Naruto and Sasuke train.
• At the Great Bridge, Zabuza and Haku ambushed Team 7, while Chiba’s Shadow Clone protected Tsunami and Inari from Gato’s samurai at Tazuna’s house.
• Chiba entered Sage Mode to stop Zabuza from reaching Tazuna, then turned toward Haku’s battle as Naruto’s Nine-Tails chakra broke Haku’s ice mirrors.
• Haku died intercepting Kakashi’s Lightning Blade, and Chiba killed Gato before Zabuza died beside Haku, and Chiba then buried them and completed his Land of Waves mission.
• After returning to Konoha, Chiba won Ichiraku’s ramen contest, gained Nekomata as his summoning beast, and trained Nekomata with borrowed weights ahead of the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Team 7 registered for the exams, and Rock Lee challenged Naruto after Naruto mocked his bowl haircut and appearance.